Metso reduces and temporarily lays off personnel in Pori, Finland

Metso Corporation´s press release on January 19, 2009, 10:56 a.m. local time

Metso has concluded the employee negotiations initiated on November 28, 2008 regarding temporary lay-offs and a reduction of personnel at their Fiber business line unit in Pori, Finland. The measures are caused by the weakening of the global market situation, which has led to changes in order schedules and a reduction in the amount of work.

The temporary lay-off notice applied to all the employees in the unit, in total about 260 people, and the reduction notice to about 40 people.

The personnel negotiations were concluded on January 19, 2009.

The temporary lay-offs will begin in early February the earliest and they will continue gradually until a normal level of workload is reached. The members of staff to be temporarily laid off, and the duration and timing of these lay-offs will depend on the workload of each department. The workload situation will be frequently monitored with the representatives of personnel.

The personnel reductions will concern 39 persons in regular employment. The reductions will commence immediately, according to legal terms of notice. Most of the persons to be reduced will retire on old age pension or will be covered with other pension arrangements. An actual lay-off will affect 3 persons.

Metso's units in Pori are part of the company's Fiber business line. They specialize in machinery and related expert services for chemical pulping.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have over 29,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

For more information, please contact: Hannu Tähkänen, Senior Vice President, Pulp Drying, Fiber business line, Pori, Finland Tel. +358 40 551 7947